US President Donald Trump ordered a series of airstrikes on Houthi rebel targets in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, on Saturday, vowing to continue using “overwhelming lethal force” until the Iran-backed group halts attacks on shipping in a key maritime corridor.
“Today, I have ordered the United States Military to launch decisive and powerful Military action against the Houthi terrorists in Yemen. They have waged an unrelenting campaign of piracy, violence, and terrorism against American, and other, ships, aircraft, and drones,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.
He issued a direct warning to the Houthis stating, “To all Houthi terrorists, YOUR TIME IS UP, AND YOUR ATTACKS MUST STOP, STARTING TODAY. IF THEY DON’T, HELL WILL RAIN DOWN UPON YOU LIKE NOTHING YOU HAVE EVER SEEN BEFORE!”
The strikes come amid rising tensions, with Trump blaming the Biden administration for failing to deter the Houthis.
“Joe Biden’s response was pathetically weak, so the unrestrained Houthis just kept going,” he said. “It has been over a year since a US-flagged commercial ship safely sailed through the Suez Canal, the Red Sea, or the Gulf of Aden,” he continued.
Trump said the airstrikes were necessary to restore maritime security and protect international trade. “The Houthi attack on American vessels will not be tolerated. We will use overwhelming lethal force until we have achieved our objective,” he said, further adding that, “The Houthis have choked off shipping in one of the most important Waterways of the World, grinding vast swaths of Global Commerce to a halt.”
The Houthis reported multiple explosions in their territory, with images online showing plumes of black smoke over the Sanaa airport complex, which includes a military facility. The extent of the damage was unclear.
Houthi media claimed the US strikes hit a residential neighborhood in Sanaa’s northern Shouab district. Residents reported at least four explosions in the Eastern Geraf area, with one witness saying, “It was like an earthquake.”
The operation was conducted solely by US forces, marking the first strike on the Yemen-based Houthis under Trump’s second administration. Previous US strikes, including those under the Biden administration, were coordinated with allies like Britain and Israel.
Trump also issued a warning to Iran, saying its support for the Houthis must end. “To Iran: Support for the Houthi terrorists must end IMMEDIATELY! Do NOT threaten the American People, their President, who has received one of the largest mandates in Presidential History, or Worldwide shipping lanes,” he wrote. “If you do, BEWARE, because America will hold you fully accountable and, we won’t be nice about it!”
The USS Harry S. Truman carrier strike group, which includes a carrier, three Navy destroyers, and a cruiser, participated in the mission. The USS Georgia cruise missile submarine has also been operating in the region.
Trump announced the strikes while spending the day at his Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida. “Our brave Warfighters are right now carrying out aerial attacks on the terrorists’ bases, leaders, and missile defenses to protect American shipping, air, and naval assets, and to restore Navigational Freedom,” he said.
“No terrorist force will stop American commercial and naval vessels from freely sailing the Waterways of the World,” he added.
